Arenal and Monteverde Adventure

This tour masterfully combines two natural highlights of Costa Rica, Arenal, a steaming volcano whose steep slopes rise above vast rainforests, and Monteverde, a beautiful cool mountain cloud forest. Each a notable destination on its own right, tours incorporate visits to powerful, majestic waterfalls, a rescued wildlife preserve, a system of hanging bridges, lunch on an organic farm dedicated to preserving the traditional Costa Rican campesino lifestyle, and an exhilarating zip line canopy tour.

Day 1
San José – Arenal National Park

Your journey beings as you leave the urban center of Costa Rica central valley and head north into the mountains. Your first stop is the renowned La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This unique, enchanting location boasts a comprehensive rescued wildlife preserve which includes jungle cats, monkeys, birds, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians. Enjoy a walk along a sparkling clear mountain river on a trail that provides easy access and great views of gorgeous waterfalls framed by serene forested mountains. Enjoy a appetizing lunch at the facility restaurant set amid the lush beauty of their gardens. Then continue your journey through the tropical plantations and cattle ranches of the northern central lowlands then arriving at your hotel in Arenal. L

Day 2
Arenal National Park

This day starts with a hike to the La Fortuna waterfalls, a 200 foot-tall waterfall set in the pristine forested mountains of Arenal National Park. The steep trail leads you down through dense, lush rainforest with the objective of reaching a large clear pool at the base of the falls. Do not forget your bathing suit for the refreshing swim. After your hike back, tour an organic farm and educational centre managed by rural family and dedicated topreserving the traditional Costa Rican lifestyle. Here you will have a lovingly prepared typical Costa Rican lunch. When done, walk off your lunch with a short afternoon at the Arenal Hanging Bridge for a fun and educative eway to learn more about the primary forest and the local environment. The Arenal Hanging Bridges, is a complex of suspension bridges and trails through the beautiful rainforests. As you walk you may encounter wildlife including toucans, poison dart frogs, howling, spider and white-faced capuchin monkeys. B L

Day 3
Arenal – Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Hike the lava flow trail at the Arenal Volcano National Park. The flow left an impressive pile of blocky lava rocks that rises about 60 feet high and now offers a panoramic view of the surrounding forests, mountains, nearby Lake Arenal and the Arenal Volcano. As hunger for lunch sets in, you will be taken to a restaurant en route to Monteverde. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the worlds premiere destinations for naturalists. Much of the resident wildlife is unique to these habitats. In addition to forest hikes, visitors can enjoy many other area attractions including horseback riding, dining in numerous restaurants, live frog and butterfly exhibits, bird watching, crafts and gift shopping, zip line tours and bridge walks in forest canopies, a visit to a native orchid garden and more. B

Day 4
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

For some morning adrenaline, fly through the rainforest on a Zip Line Canopy Tour. All the adventure activities happen under the expert watch and assistance of guides. Let the magical opulence of the Costa Rican rain forests seep into your consciousness while you travel from one zip-line to another. This day lunch is not included so you may have the freedom of choosing from any restaurant in the area. In the early afternoon you will visit the world-famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Hike the reserve on well-groomed trails with your expert naturalist guide. It is very possible to see the resplendent Quetzal, which spends about half the year in Monteverde feeding and breeding. As a prime example of cloud forest ecosystems, Monteverde has been intensely studied by scientist and is the site for pioneering research on the effects of climate change on tropical ecosystems.
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Day 5
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve – San José

Explore the principal community of the area, Santa Elena, before going back to San Jose Airport. B

Photo top page by Isabella Jusková on Unsplash.